FRESCO DISINTEGRATION. Irene Buettner-Salido and Lauren French. Frescoes disintegrate when exposed to heat and humidity for long periods of time; in addition oil paints disintegrate under the same conditions at a faster rate. The purpose of this lab is to see how and why oil painted frescoes disintegrate more quickly than the original pigment painted frescoes. To create mini frescoes, pieces of filter paper were dipped into a mixture of flour and water. To test for heat, two samples were placed in a 100 degree Celsius incubator, and another one in room temperature. Secondly, relative humidity sensors were set up to collect the humidity of the air. Two samples were placed in a water filled, concealed container, and a sensor was placed to collect the air under high humidity. The other sensor was simply out in open air. According to the final data, when placed under extreme heat, the frescoes appear darker and cracked. The frescoes placed under high humidity were soggy, cracked, and the paint easily rubbed off after only two days. Overall, the oil painted frescoes were not able to withstand high heat and humidity over two days, much less countless years. KEYWORDS: Frescoes, Oil Paint, Plaster, Relative Humidity, Pigment
Figure #3: Figure of Apparatus
RESULTS:
Figure #1: Room Humidity and High Humidity
Data Table #1: Fresco Humidity
Day #1
Sample #1 (room)
Sample #2 (high)
Relative humidity:
21.93%
71.13%
Observations:
· Looks the same
· Appears more moist
Day #2
Relative Humidity:
24.91%
81.90%
Observations:
· Looks the same
· Soggy · Cracked · Paint rubs off
Figure #2: Room Temperature and High Temperature
Data Table #2: Frescoes and Heat
Day #1
Sample #1 (room)
Sample #2 (high)
Temperature:
24.1 degrees C
100 degrees C
Observations:
· No visible change
· Darker · Faint cracking
Day #2
Temperature:
23.2 degrees C
100 degrees C
Observations:
· No visible change
· Cracked · Little bubbles · Dark yellow around the edges
RECORDING:
Citations:
Conrad Schmitt. Published in "Church Property Administration", and 1937. "Published Articles - Restoration & Decoration | Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc.." Conservation, Restoration and Artistic Craftsmanship | Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc.. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http://www.conradschmitt.com/getstarted/articles/?articleid=28>.
· "Pigments through the Ages - Manufacture Recipes - Madder lake ." Webexhibits. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http://www.webexhibits.org/pigments
· Tony Johansen "Red Artist's Pigments." Making Artists Paint In The Studio By Tony Johansen. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http://www.paintmaking.com/red.
· Brighter Future for Frescoes, New Scientist; 11/4/2006, Vol. 192 Issue 2576, p27-27, 1/3p
· A Renaissance for Frescoes. New Scientist; 5/19/2007, Vol. 194 Issue 2604, p29-29, 1p
KEYWORDS: Frescoes, Oil Paint, Plaster, Relative Humidity, Pigment
RESULTS:
Figure #1: Room Humidity and High Humidity
Data Table #1: Fresco Humidity
· Cracked
· Paint rubs off
Figure #2: Room Temperature and High Temperature
Data Table #2: Frescoes and Heat
· Faint cracking
· Little bubbles
· Dark yellow around the edges
RECORDING:
Citations:
- Conrad Schmitt. Published in "Church Property Administration", and 1937. "Published Articles - Restoration & Decoration | Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc.." Conservation, Restoration and Artistic Craftsmanship | Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc.. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http://www.conradschmitt.com/getstarted/articles/?articleid=28>.
· "Pigments through the Ages - Manufacture Recipes - Madder lake ." Webexhibits. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http://www.webexhibits.org/pigments· Tony Johansen "Red Artist's Pigments." Making Artists Paint In The Studio By Tony Johansen. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http://www.paintmaking.com/red.
· Brighter Future for Frescoes, New Scientist; 11/4/2006, Vol. 192 Issue 2576, p27-27, 1/3p
· A Renaissance for Frescoes. New Scientist; 5/19/2007, Vol. 194 Issue 2604, p29-29, 1p